Labour Policies : Britain in the World Policy

According to the Labour Party website the Labour Party will try to achieve the following if they retain power at the 2010 general election on May 6th:

Labour’s international policy is driven both by Britain’s national interest and our long-standing belief in international social justice, liberty, fairness and responsibility. Labour knows that our country is best served by the strength of our permanent values and interests – and by our strong alliances around the world.

Whilst we live in an age of unprecedented progress with more people living in peace than ever before, in the years ahead we will face many global challenges which will demand a new era of global cooperation. Labour will make sure we continue to occupy a leading role in that process.

Since 1997, Britain’s role and voice on the international stage has strengthened. Our influence which comes from being right at the heart of great international institutions and alliances – the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the G8 and G20 – means we have a great responsibility and the ability to help shape a safer and more secure world. Labour has used our unique position to lead efforts to combat global poverty and climate change, to promote peace and security and to tackle the global financial crisis. We will continue to remain outward looking to ensure continued progress.

The greatest immediate threat to our national security is international terrorism, that’s why we will never compromise when it comes to the safety and security of the British people. With Labour, Britain will continue working with our international allies in Afghanistan to tackle terrorism at its roots and protect the security of the UK. In recognition of the immense sacrifices of our Armed Forces and their families we will introduce greater measures of support and will continue to ensure our Armed Forces receive all the equipment they need.

Labour is committed to building a safer world, in order to do so we will continue to lead the renewal of a grand global bargain between nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states to set us on a path towards a world without nuclear weapons.

The global financial crisis has demonstrated more clearly than ever the interconnected nature of the world we live in and the need for international unity to tackle problems which affect us all. As we face new challenges – from nuclear proliferation and international terrorism to climate change – Labour believes it is more essential than ever to build a truly global society where we come together to find international solutions for those issues which do not respect national borders. We will develop a shared vision and create new and effective global institutions with the mandate and the authority to make that vision real.

In an increasingly interdependent world, tackling global poverty and injustice is both morally right and in our common interest. Labour will therefore not turn our backs on global injustice and poverty but will continue working, for example, to meet the Millennium Development Goals and for fairer trade rules which do not penalise poorer countries. We will also continue pushing for greater action to tackle climate change, building on the Copenhagen accord to go much further and demand greater ambition to fight climate change and tackle its impacts on the world’s most vulnerable people before it is too late.

In recognition of the benefits our membership of the European Union brings to British citizens, Labour will ensure that Britain remains at the heart of the European Union. We will use our strong voice to secure greater measures to fight back against the global recession, to secure the recovery and promote prosperity, protect against international crime, and tackle global challenges like poverty and climate change.

Labour’s vision in the years ahead is for a bold, foreign policy based on strong international links which exploit Britain’s unique strengths, defend our national interest and pursue a more just and fair world. By ensuring Britain retains its leading place on the world stage Labour believes we really can help shape a truly global society, and help build a future fair for all.

Labour Party Britain in the World Policy :http://www.labour.org.uk/policies/policy-on-britain-in-the-world

I would be interested to hear both positive and negative views on Labour’s Britain in the World policies in the comments below?